IND v AUS 2023: WATCH- Ravi Shastri, Irfan Pathan test Mark Waugh's catching skills after his criticism of Smith, Kohli in slips

Mark Waugh had slammed Virat Kohli and Steve Smith for dropping easy catches in slips.

By Jatin Sharma - 11 Feb, 2023

Mark Waugh is known as one of the best slip catches cricket has ever seen and before the start of day three of the ongoing first Test between India and Australia at Nagpur, he was joined by Irfan Pathan and Ravi Shastri to discuss the slip-catching performance of both teams.

Steve Smith of Australia and Virat Kohli for India were the slip fielders and both dropped a couple of catches, including one of Ravindra Jadeja that Smith dropped just before the second day ended. Waugh had earlier criticized Virat Kohli for his poor outing in slips for India in Australia’s first innings as well.  

The presenter of Star Sports then queried Waugh about what was being talked about in Australian media. As the former Australia opener searched for an answer, Pathan picked up a ball and threw it straight at Waugh, who comfortably caught it.

Shastri immediately poked fun at the Aussie saying, "That is what was missing," referring to Smith's blunder at slip. "You've got to take it with one hand...you're the expert, bro," Shastri added.

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Waugh then gave his view on Smith's dropped opportunities. "Disappointing that he dropped three catches. It is very unusual. He is one of the greatest slip fielders in the world. I critiqued Kohli earlier and now it is Smith.”

Check out the discussion between Shastri Waugh and Pathan:

Earlier on Day 1, Waugh had criticized Kohli for dropping two catches during Australia's first innings, handing extra life to Smith and Peter Handscomb.

It’s like he doesn’t think the ball will come to him, looks away from the game. You have got to read the play. You have got to pretend you are actually batting when you are fielding at first slip to the spinners. Your legs have to be lot closer to be able to move quickly. Kohli was very high-up in his position. Should have stayed down a bit. He should have done a little bit better. Almost as if he wasn’t expecting it,” Waugh had said on commentary.

By Jatin Sharma - 11 Feb, 2023

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